Federal Environment Minister Rona Ambrose announced a plan Wednesday morning to tackle mercury pollution from the auto industry.

The new rules, introduced under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, set restrictions for automobile manufacturers and steel mills.

The rules will require automobile recyclers to ensure scrap cars are free of mercury switches before they're recycled.

Ambrose said the plan would prevent up to 10 tonnes of mercury from being released into the environment over the next 10 years.

"Just to let you know what that means, vehicle manufacturers and steel mills will have to create a plan within six months with annual targets and public reporting, with an ultimate goal of reducing their mercury by 90 per cent in four years," Ambrose said. 

The small amount of mercury found in one switch is enough to make the fish in a 24-hectare lake inedible for one year.

Speaking at an automobile recycling plant in Kitchener, Ont., Ambrose said she will be able to enforce the new restrictions using "anything from orders to fines and up to jail time."

"As you know mercury is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems in people and can cause serious harm to the environment. By taking this action today, Canada's new government will prevent up to 10 tons of mercury from being released into the environment over the next 10 years."

Automobile manufacturers stopped using mercury parts in 2003, but millions of vehicles on the roads still contain the motion-based devices that are often used to activate trunk and hood lights. Once the trunk or hood is raised, the mercury switch becomes tilted and a connection is made between the car's battery and the light bulb. Once the lid is closed, the mercury returns to its original position and the light is extinguished.

Ambrose said the move is part of a broader strategy to reduce mercury in a wide range of products, from batteries to fluorescent lamps and thermostats "to ensure their proper end of life management."